Full JBL Charge Review. Review of portable speakers JBL Charge
Portable speakers from JBL on this moment are quite popular. Flip models are considered one of the most successful in the manufacturer’s product line. They are in the middle price segment and are necessary to provide a person with music at any time of the day. Last year, the fourth generation of this model was introduced.
Currently, three similar columns compete with each other. We are talking about the mini JBL 168, Charge 3 and Flip 4. A comparison of the last two devices will be given later in the article.
Price, dimensions and weight
Let's start with the fact that the Charge 3 speaker can be purchased for 8,000 rubles. on average, but Flip 4 will cost much less. Most often it is sold for less than 6 thousand rubles.
The height of the latter is 19 mm less when compared with the other described column. As for the driver, the Flip 4 has a 40mm driver size. His opponent has 45 mm. A driver is a device that reproduces sound through a speaker. The larger this part, the more powerful the bass will be.
As for the width, everything is clear from the photographs. The Flip 4 is thinner than the Charge 3 at 38mm. Its figure is 175 mm versus 213 mm. The Flip 4 is thinner. Only 70 mm. His opponent has a thickness of 18 mm. When it comes to weight, the Flip 4 wins here. It is 285g lighter than its opponent. Charge 3 weighs 800 g.
Control
The described devices have a control panel that is built into the design itself, which is convenient. Thanks to this, it can be easily accessed at any time. Also, thanks to this solution, it is possible to control the volume of the speaker using a wireless device.
A detachable cable is only available in Flip 4. Thanks to this, you can disconnect the cable at any time if it breaks or if necessary, move the speaker. Also, if you pull the cord, it will not be damaged, but will simply fly out of the equipment’s socket.
Sound
Trying to understand which is better - JBL Charge 3 or Flip 4, we should also talk about sound quality. Both models have built-in stereo speakers. Due to this, the sound is quite rich and impressive. Both devices received an active speaker. It is built directly into the design. This amplifier helps you get best sound. Therefore, completely different playback sources can be used with speakers.
Continuing to decide which is better, JBL Charge 3 or Flip 4, we need to talk about frequency characteristics. Which device is the leader in this matter? Low frequencies, that is, bass, will be much richer and stronger in Flip 4. Charge 3 has this indicator at 65 Hz, while Flip 4 has 70 Hz.
additional characteristics
Both devices operate Bluetooth version 4.1. They are also equipped with a passive radiator. It looks like a regular driver. However, it does not have any filling. Thanks to this radiator, you can reproduce deep bass. Its sound output is basically the same as most speakers. Unlike a regular driver, this heatsink is slightly smaller.
It's quite difficult to decide whether to choose the JBL Charge 3 or Flip 4, so you should continue comparative characteristics. The devices are also protected from weather conditions. There is a special input that allows you to play content from various sound sources. It is enough to connect to a regular port.
As for the number of drivers, both devices have two of them.
These models can also be used in wireless mode. They have a battery that needs to be charged. The devices are equipped with a special indicator. He notifies about discharge. The audio output power depends on the number of speakers and is calculated in watts. The higher this indicator, the louder and clearer the sound. And which is better in this matter: JBL Charge 3 or Flip 4? The first option wins, since its indicator is 20 W.
The devices have USB connectors, as well as a special noise-canceling microphone. The highest frequency is 20 thousand Hz for each of the described devices.
The microphone is well tuned and has a noise reduction function. The Flip 4 comes with a special bag. It allows you to transport the device. These devices have the same signal to noise ratio. It is 8 dB. The Charge 3 speaker is protected from water and dust. The warranty period for both devices is one year. There is no microphone jack on the speakers. The latter device does not have a noise cancellation feature.
Battery
As for the battery capacity, the Flip 4 has 3 thousand mAh, and the second column has 6 thousand. On average, the Flip 4 charges faster. In just three and a half hours, it goes from 0 to 100%. The second device will be charged to maximum in 4 hours. However, we must not forget that the latter has a larger battery capacity. These indicators are relevant not only for the models described, but also for comparison JBL Flip 3 vs JBL Charge 2 Pluse. The latter is also in the lead.
JBL Flip 4
Trying to understand which device is better, you should conduct a separate review of Flip 4. This device has a mirrored surface of the radiators. The keys that are built into the device are edged and slightly recessed into the body. The device can easily withstand immersion in water for up to 30 minutes. If we talk about sound, this model has well-developed frequencies. The lows and highs have become as saturated as possible, and the problems with playing the mids, compared to the previous Flip 3 speaker, have disappeared. On some songs there is a slight deviation from the sound, but it is not critical. The volume level is also quite good.
Overall, this device is quite good, especially the ability to work wirelessly, so the device can become a reliable travel companion. However, it will not claim to be the best in this segment. Unfortunately, the device is available only in some color shades, so not all consumers like this lack of individuality. It should also be noted that the sound is not bad for its segment, but when compared with some more expensive analogues, the described device is noticeably inferior. But still, many are pleased with the attractive price, which makes this speaker stand out from the crowd of others. In principle, it should be said that the device undoubtedly deserves attention from the buyer, so it can be recommended for purchase. To understand which is better JBL Flip 4 vs JBL Charge 3, you should consider the second column.
JBL Charge 3
This device It has a fairly large battery, all other characteristics are also good. In addition, a special security protocol is built in. It allows you to take the speaker into the sea or into the pool. The device is sold in a small cardboard box with a matte finish. The package contains instructions, a cable for the power adapter and the speaker itself with other documentation (warranty card, certificate, etc.). If we compare with the previous model, we should highlight that there is no special protective case. It was abandoned because the column became insensitive to moisture.
The design is quite interesting, as the device is sold in a large number of colors. Anyone can choose the one that suits their taste specifically. As for the sound, it should be said here about the highest level of the frequency range. The bass is excellent, the mids don't let you down, the highs are reproduced perfectly. This model can easily be called one of the best in the price segment. Also, the volume reserve here is quite large. In general, this speaker is enough to listen to music in a room of up to 40 square meters. When the sound level increases, its quality is not distorted: there are no defects or rattling.
When it went on sale last year wireless speaker JBL Charge 2+, our delight knew no bounds. In addition to excellent sound quality and capacious battery, capable of charging more than one iPhone, the speaker became splash-proof, which made it possible to safely take it on picnics and not be afraid of rain. It seemed that it couldn’t get any better, but HARMAN has proven that even a seemingly flawless product can still be improved.
Our first acquaintance with the Charge 3 took place at the HARMAN stand at the MWC exhibition in Barcelona in February of this year. Then we were immediately struck by the increased size of the speaker and the textile covering, which caused a mixed reaction. Now the new product has arrived at our office, and we have the opportunity to test it and make a verdict. 
I would like to start with the appearance, which has changed noticeably: the third generation Charge has significantly increased in size relative to the second, which also affected the power. In particular, it has increased by 30% and is now 20 W versus 15 W for the previous model. The buttons have also been modified, becoming convex and larger, so you can easily find them even in the dark. 
As for that very textile covering: although some may not like it in terms of design, its practical advantages are quite obvious. Firstly, owners of older versions of Charge probably complain about scratches that immediately appear on the case after the first drop. As you might guess, Charge 3 is much better protected from such a threat. And secondly, this coating provided the speaker with protection according to the IPX7 standard, that is, it is completely dustproof and can withstand up to 30 minutes under water at a depth of 1 meter. By the way, a little advice: if you are going to frequently immerse the speaker in water, tightly close the lid under which the connectors are hidden. At first it does not close very tightly, but over time it will develop: the tightness was made with reserve. 
As mentioned above, the speaker has received increased power, which means that you will be able to shake the area with even more impressive sound. Moreover, this can be done within not 12, but 20 hours. Despite the fact that the battery capacity remained at the same 6000 mAh mark, thanks to successful experiments with its chemical composition, HARMAN engineers managed to significantly increase the battery life battery life.
Regarding sound quality Charge speakers never disappointed, the third generation was no exception. In fact, the sound has become even better, since the supported frequency range has increased: from 65 Hz to 20 kHz. has also been updated and is now offered in version 4.1, which is also good news. 
As can be seen from our review, the JBL Charge in its third iteration has become even more attractive and is one of the favorites in the race for the title of best portable acoustic solution. By the way, the author of these lines uses the Charge 2+ as a kitchen speaker, and thanks to good music and excellent sound, the process of cooking and eating food can drag on for a long time. So it’s difficult to maintain objectivity in this situation, but if we are talking about a really good product, then you don’t really want to regret compliments. 
The only thing that can stop a potential buyer is the price: in the official HARMAN store, the JBL Charge 3 speaker is sold for 10,990 rubles. You can hardly call it cheap, but if you happen to own this product for at least a couple of hours, you will understand that the price-quality ratio is simply ideal. You can purchase JBL Charge 3 at
On Russian market wireless JBL Bluetooth speaker Charge 3 fell into our hands, so we decided to find out whether it is really as good as the manufacturer claims, because inside it lies not only two powerful speakers, but also accumulator battery, with which you can recharge smartphones and tablets.
Portable speaker JBL Charge 3 comes in extremely high-quality cardboard packaging, on each side of which the main advantages of the wireless speaker are extremely colorfully designed and painted. Thanks to such a bright packaging design, it is extremely difficult not to notice it on store shelves.
The main features of the device are briefly written on the back of the package: Bluetooth support, 20 hours of battery life, 6000 mAh battery, built-in speakerphone, IPX7 water protection. In addition, here you can find short specifications JBL Charge 3: reproduced range of sounds and total power of two speakers.
The side parts of the packaging are no less informative. One of them talks about using the JBL Connect function, with which you can combine several of the company’s wireless speaker systems into one and listen to one musical composition on all speakers at once.
Water protection according to the IPX7 standard requires immersion under water to a depth of 1 meter for no more than 30 minutes. Thanks to this feature, the speaker can be easily used even in a torrential downpour, without fear of damage.
A nice feature of the JBL Charge 3 is a built-in 6000 mAh rechargeable battery, with which you can charge smartphones and tablets. This will definitely be appreciated by those who like to go on short hikes, because now the Power Bank and the wireless Bluetooth speaker are one whole.
Everything inside the packaging is no less colorful and stylish. To portable speaker It was not damaged during transportation; it is protected by soft plastic on the bottom and hard foam on top. It’s nice that HARMAN took care of the safety of its new product, because, as a rule, manufacturers like to save on literally everything, and primarily on packaging.
The additional compartment of the package hides four accessories at once, two of which are basic: a 2.3A mains power adapter and a flat microUSB cable. While it’s not worth dwelling on the second accessory, the first one is admirable. The fact is that the power adapter from JBL Charge 3 comes with a soldered American plug, but the package also includes adapters for Russian and English plugs.
To turn an American plug into a Russian or English one, you just need to put a special attachment on the American one, after which the entire product will look stylish and function fully. It is not clear why other manufacturers electronic devices Haven’t thought of this yet, because it’s really convenient, especially when traveling to different countries.
As for the manufacturing quality of all accessories, everything here is also at the highest level. Single orange color and extremely high quality plastic. By the way, the plastic is matte, so fingerprints and small scratches are not visible on it.
The package also includes instructions in several languages, but even without it, even a child can understand the JBL Charge 3 wireless speaker.
Of course, the most important product in the package is the portable speaker itself. When you pick it up for the first time, you feel the weight, as well as the integrity of the entire structure. At the same time, one cannot help but appreciate the quality of the materials, because it is thanks to them that the first impression of the product is formed.
The main part of the speaker, where the speakers are located, is made of mesh fabric that is pleasant to the touch, and it smells like the interior of a brand new foreign car. There are six buttons on top, each of which is responsible for strictly assigned functions. The material used for their design is rubberized plastic, which also does not collect fingerprints and does not attract dust.
The first button is designed to activate Bluetooth; holding it for a long time deactivates the current connection with any device and puts the speaker into pairing mode, accompanying this process with pleasant and loud sounds.
The volume down and up buttons are responsible for their strictly assigned duties. During testing, we noticed that on the JBL Charge 3 they adjust the volume quite slowly. For example, in the iPhone 6s, one click on the volume up button immediately increases the volume by 10%, and in a wireless speaker by 3-4%. Thus, the owner of a portable speaker system can find a more suitable volume level for himself, but this feature also has a downside. The fact is that to move from minimum to maximum volume you need to press the increase button at least 20 times, or hold it for about 20-30 seconds. It is possible that this is a matter of habit, but the JBL Charge 3 has this feature and nothing can be done about it.
The “Play/Pause” button turned out to be extremely useful. It is capable of not only temporarily pausing music, but also starting the next track. To do this, double-click on it, after which it will automatically play the next music track in the library of the connected device.
The on/off button is responsible only for the functions strictly assigned to it. When the speaker is turned off, just click on it once, after which it will instantly come to life, or perform similar actions when it is on to turn it off. All this is accompanied by a very unusual sound signal, reminiscent of the launch of a galactic engine in some Star Wars. When the speaker is turned on, this button glows blue, and flashes when “pairing” with another device.
To the right of it there is also a place for the JBL Connect button, the activation of which puts the wireless speaker in search mode for similar devices that support this connection mode. By combining two speakers into one wirelessly, you can create an entire home theater with surround sound.
On the front of the wireless speaker there was a place for a red metal plate with the JBL logo.
On the reverse side there is a thick plastic plug designed to protect the main connectors of the speaker from water ingress. Directly below it is a 3.5 mm audio jack, a microUSB connector for charging the speaker, and a regular USB connector designed for charging smartphones and tablets.
By the way, the 3.5 mm audio jack is intended exclusively for connecting to a speaker using a wire, without using Bluetooth. If you insert headphones into it, it will have no effect.
On the bottom of the JBL Charge 3 there is a small stand made of rubberized plastic. Due to the use of this material, the speaker practically does not slip on any surface. In addition, there is room on the side of the stand for five LED indicators, showing the current level of remaining battery power. The more they glow, the more electricity is in the column.
The side parts of the speaker are made of dense silicone. In the pictures it may seem that there is simply a JBL logo on each side, but this is only partly true. The fact is that it is under these logos that subwoofers are hidden, albeit small ones. Thanks to them, the speaker produces richer and more spacious sound.
The JBL Charge 3 wireless speaker is capable of reproducing a range of sounds from 65 Hz to 20 kHz. At the same time, the total sound power is 20 W. The sound quality is very good high level. It was not even necessary to use an equalizer for balancing, since the low, mid and high frequencies are very well balanced. If we compare this wireless speaker with the expensive Beats pill+, the first one definitely reproduces music much more realistically.
The sound is very deep and detailed. You can hear absolutely all the musical instruments used in a particular track, from the flute to the electric guitar with drums. At the maximum possible volume there is no wheezing, hissing or other unpleasant effects that plague most wireless and wired speakers. This acoustic system delivers 100% of its 20 watts of sound power.
The Bluetooth connection is also good. Over more than 6 hours of use, there was not a single accidental disconnection or any wheezing characteristic of many Bluetooth speakers and headphones. JBL Charge 3 receives the signal confidently at 10-20 meters outdoors and 5-10 meters indoors. At the same time, if there is a signal, the speaker will reproduce it correctly, and not play it in chunks with interruptions and stutters.
While charging, you can fully use the wireless speaker. Moreover, even when connecting/disconnecting the charging cable, the music is not paused, but continues to play as if nothing had happened. This is another advantage of the new product from JBL.
Conclusion
The JBL Charge 3 wireless speaker is clearly a premium Hi-Fi audio product. Hot new product characterized by extremely high-quality materials, protection from water ingress, the ability to recharge smartphones and tablets, stable connection, a rich set of supplies, gift packaging, volume 20 W, stylish appearance and excellent sound balance that will please even ardent music lovers.
Currently, the wireless speaker is sold in Russia at a price of 10,990 rubles in gray color. Sales of blue, red, turquoise and black models will begin in July. The device can definitely be recommended for purchase to all lovers of rich and high-quality sound.
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One of the most popular speakers just got even better. JBL Charge 3 has been on sale for several months now and enjoys the well-deserved love of music lovers. I checked if she is as good as they say, here is my story.
Beautiful and bright
What's most important in a speaker, sound? When we look at a shelf in a store with speakers, the first thing we do is evaluate the appearance, whether we like the device or not. JBL Charge 3 looks like a small barrel with a stand. The body is made of plastic and rubber, the surface is trimmed with a pleasant-to-touch fabric. The speaker is heavy, it weighs 800 grams, so you can’t put it in a jacket, but there’s always a place for it in a backpack.
Under the cover-plug there are connectors for USB connections, 3.5 mm jack and microUSB. The plug is tight and difficult to unfasten, but over time the rubber part becomes softer, so you don’t have to pull it out with force.
What color column should I choose? Decide for yourself, but I wouldn’t take the black one, it looks a little gloomy, but the blue version is very good. There is also a beautiful red color, pistachio (or pale green), and also gray. Several additional bright colors were recently shown at IFA.
Not afraid of water
The speaker is protected from moisture according to the IPX7 standard, it is not afraid of water, so if you leave it in the rain at the dacha, it will not die. Moreover, you can also swim in the pool while listening to music; Charge 3 can withstand immersion in water up to a depth of 1 meter for half an hour. Thanks to the waterproof case, as well as the stable rubber foot, which holds the speaker and prevents it from rolling away to the music rhythms.
Loud and sonorous
The speaker received a pair of 50 mm speakers of 10 W each, and there are also a pair of JBL Bass subwoofers on the sides. The speaker is very powerful and screams obscenely loud for a relatively small thing. Not only I was impressed, but also my friends and acquaintances who saw the device in action. The sound is rich, rich and clear, with no distortion even at maximum volume, excellent quality.
The JBL Connect function allows you to arrange a real concert when two JBL speakers play simultaneously, and you can combine both large and small (JBL Extreme, for example, and JBL Flip 3) into one orchestra of 3 devices, launching the same track from your smartphone on them.
The speaker works as a speaker during telephone conversations, it has a built-in microphone, the voice quality is very good. I rarely spoke on it, sitting at a distance of about half a meter, and tested it to talk about the function in the text. The interlocutors were satisfied, but out of habit I speak into the phone and do not like speakerphone.
Works smoothly
The controls are simple: at the top there are buttons to turn on Bluetooth, connect other JBL speakers, power, Play/Pause and volume control. The buttons are made of rubber to match the body. It is more convenient to change the volume with mobile device than from the speaker itself: the keys somehow slowly raise or lower the volume, you have to press the hard buttons several times or hold for several seconds, whereas on the iPhone one or two taps are enough.
The speaker starts searching for Bluetooth devices with a funny sound, turns on and off with interesting effect. Bluetooth communication with devices works stably: the equipment connects automatically, there were no malfunctions.
The column is equipped extremely simply: Charger and a USB cable to connect to it. The charger has an American plug, but at the same time they added adapters for Europe and the UK, wise and universal.
Long-lasting
The battery capacity is 6000 mAh, the speaker is called Charge for a reason, it can charge other equipment. You can assess the charge level of the speaker itself by 5 light indicators located at the bottom: if only 1 diode is lit, it means that in half an hour or an hour the speaker will run out, it all depends on the volume. If you put the Charge 3 on charge, it will also play music.
The operating time is stated to be impressive: 20 hours without stopping. For me it worked for about 18 hours at half volume, I think at maximum it will last about 10 hours.
Opinion
I have decided on the king of portable speakers, this is JBL Charge 3. If you need the best option for a mobile speaker at a price of about 10,000 rubles, then I recommend this one. The conclusion is very short: JBL Charge 3 is an excellent small speaker without any shortcomings or compromises.
Characteristics
Power: 2x10 W
Signal to noise ratio: 80 dB
Speakerphone
Bluetooth 4.1
IPx7 moisture protection
Battery: 6,000 mAh
Weight: 800 grams
This universal device can connect to a phone, tablet or other gadget that supports Bluetooth or AUX and reproduce high-quality sound.
In addition, the name Charge (charger) speaks for itself. The fact is that the built-in 6000 mAh battery is enough to charge another device.
I suggest everything in order.
JBL Charge Package
- wireless speaker;
- power unit;
- adapter for Euro socket;
- cable;
- case;
- package.
Appearance
The first thing that comes to mind when you see the JBL Charge speaker is its gorgeous cylinder design. Excellent execution of shape and color. On the front you can see a mesh under which 2 speakers are hidden.
The column is turned on with the “On” button, which is located at the top. LED charge level indicators are also visible there. The volume controls are one key, which is located there. When the speaker is on, all keys glow blue.
On the left side there is a rubber plug under which the USB connector is hidden. As I already mentioned, the speaker has the ability to charge other devices using its battery. You will definitely love this brilliant idea! After all, there are cases when a smartphone or tablet is almost dead, and, as luck would have it, there is no outlet at hand.
If you look at the right side, you can find a gray mesh. Low frequencies can be heard through it.
On the back of the JBL Charge there are only 2 connectors: micro-USB and AUX. The power supply is connected to the first one, which makes it possible to charge the device. The second, AUX, can transmit sound signal to the speaker via a cable (not included).
The most interesting thing is that the speaker has 2 speakers with a total power of 10 W. I admit, this is the most powerful portable speaker I have ever held in my hands. In terms of sound quality, I can give it a solid five.
Wide range of highs and low frequencies will allow you to enjoy the sound quality.
In fact, if you are willing to spend 4,000 rubles on such a device, then the JBL Charge speaker would be an ideal option. I didn't find any cons in it. Everything is just great! Among the features I can highlight:
- amazing sound;
- Portable battery function for charging other devices;
- high-quality assembly;
- speaker cover;
- amazing battery life (about 9 hours of operation at medium volume).
